Category: Giving, Stewardship & Finances

Capital campaigns, stewardship, giving models, generosity, financial transparency in churches.

  • Tithing Is Still Biblical — Here’s What the Bible Actually Says (and Why It Still Matters)

    If you’ve been in church for any length of time, you’ve heard some version of this:

    • “Tithing is 10%.”
    • “If you don’t tithe, you’re robbing God.”
    • “If you tithe, God will bless you financially.”

    And then, eventually, someone asks the honest question many Christians are quietly thinking:

    “Is tithing actually biblical for Christians—or is it an Old Testament thing?”

    The answer is more beautiful (and more challenging) than the usual talking points.

    The Bible does teach tithing. However, it teaches it in a way that’s often more specific, more communal, and more spiritually formative than modern church culture suggests.

    Let’s walk through what Scripture actually says—and why tithing (and generosity) still matter deeply for followers of Jesus.

    1) What “Tithe” Means in the Bible

    The word tithe literally means “a tenth.” Ligonier Ministries

    In Israel’s life under the Law of Moses, the tithe wasn’t mainly a “church budget” concept. It was part of a whole system God used to:

    • support the Levites (who didn’t receive land inheritances),
    • fund worship and communal celebration,
    • and provide for the poor and vulnerable.

    2) The Old Testament Tithe Was Not Just One Simple 10%

    This is where many modern conversations become unclear.

    A) The Levitical tithe (support for ministry)

    Israel gave a tenth to support the Levites, and the Levites then gave a “tithe of the tithe.” Bible Gateway

    B) A “festival” tithe (worship, rejoicing, shared meals)

    Deuteronomy describes a tenth being used in a way that sounds like a worship-centered celebration—eating in God’s presence, learning reverence, and including the household. Bible Gateway

    C) A tithe for people with low incomes (a community safety net)

    Deuteronomy also describes storing resources to care for the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow. Bible Gateway

    So biblically, “tithing” wasn’t only a private donation. It was a societal discipleship system: worship, provision, and justice.

    3) Malachi 3: “Bring the tithe into the storehouse” — What It Meant (and What People Miss)

    Malachi’s famous rebuke (“robbing God”) is real, and it’s Scripture. But it’s also addressed to Israel under the covenant Law, connected to the temple/storehouse food provisions for the priestly system. GotQuestions.org+1

    That doesn’t make it irrelevant. It makes it contextual.

    The principle remains: God cares about whether His people honor Him with their resources—and whether the spiritual community is being sustained.

    But using Malachi as a blunt weapon (“10% to the church or you’re cursed”) often skips the covenant context and the Bible’s bigger message about generosity.

    4) Did Tithing Exist Before the Law?

    Yes—there are pre-Law examples people often cite:

    • Abraham gives a tenth to Melchizedek (Genesis 14).
    • Jacob vows a tenth (Genesis 28).

    These don’t read like a national law; they read like voluntary acts of worship and recognition of God’s provision.

    That matters because it shows the “tenth” idea can function as a faith response, not merely a legal requirement.

    5) What About the New Testament? Is 10% Commanded?

    Here’s the key truth that clears a lot of confusion:

    The New Testament emphasizes generosity, not a mandated percentage.

    Paul’s significant giving passages (especially 2 Corinthians 8–9) center on:

    • willingness,
    • sincerity,
    • proportionate giving,
    • and cheerful generosity.

    Not a fixed “tithe” rule.

    This is one reason many teachers argue Christians are not under a legal requirement to tithe exactly 10% the way Israel was under the Mosaic Law. GotQuestions.org+1

    At the same time, many Christians still practice 10% as a wisdom baseline—a starting point for disciplined generosity rather than a salvation test.

    6) A Helpful Frame: “Tithing” as Training Wheels for the Heart

    One of the most helpful modern conversations I’ve seen around money is the idea that giving is not merely funding something—it’s forming someone.

    The BibleProject “God & Money” story (Jon and Tim’s conversation with John Cortines and Greg Baumer) highlights how even committed Christians who were already tithing discovered that Scripture calls us to something deeper than checking a box: a transformed relationship to money, security, and purpose. BibleProject+2PodScripts+2

    That’s the heart of biblical giving:

    God doesn’t just want your money. He wants your freedom.

    7) So… Is Tithing Still Biblical?

    Yes—tithing is biblical in the sense that:

    • It’s clearly taught in the Old Testament as part of covenant life,
    • It reveals God’s priorities (worship, provision, justice),
    • And it establishes a powerful discipleship principle: God’s people should be structured, intentional, and generous with their resources.

    But also yes—Christians should be careful about saying:

    • “If you don’t give 10%, you’re robbing God.”
    • or “If you tithe, God must make you richer.”

    The New Testament consistently encourages us toward grace-formed generosity, rather than fear-driven giving.

    8) A Simple, Biblical Way to Practice This Today

    If you want something practical and faithful—without turning giving into a legalistic scoreboard—here’s a simple framework many Christians use:

    1) Give first (priority)

    Not leftovers—first-fruits (the principle of honoring God first).

    2) Give proportionally (fairness)

    If 10% is feasible, it can serve as a strong baseline.

    If you’re in a season of survival, start somewhere honest and build from there.

    3) Give regularly (discipline)

    Planned giving is a form of spiritual formation. Christ and Culture

    4) Give joyfully (worship)

    Giving isn’t paying dues. It’s participating in God’s work.

    5) Give beyond (love)

    In Scripture, generosity often moves beyond minimums—especially when people are in need.

    Closing Encouragement

    Tithing isn’t meant to be a burden. It’s intended to be a declaration:

    “God is my source.”

    “God’s mission matters.”

    “My money will not master me.”

    Whether you land at 10% as a baseline or you approach giving through New Testament principles of proportional, joyful generosity, the goal is the same:

    A heart so anchored in God’s goodness that generosity becomes normal.

    This article seeks to present the biblical teaching on tithing and generosity with historical and theological integrity. Christians may arrive at different applications based on conscience, tradition, and circumstance. Scripture consistently emphasizes willing, joyful generosity as an expression of faith, not compulsion.

    References & Further Reading

    Biblical Texts (Primary Sources)

    • Genesis 14:18–20 — Abraham gives a tenth to Melchizedek, demonstrating an early, voluntary act of worship and recognition of God’s provision.
    • Genesis 28:20–22 — Jacob vows a tenth to God following God’s promise of protection and blessing.
    • Leviticus 27:30–34 — Establishes the tithe as part of Israel’s covenant law, designating a tenth of produce and livestock as belonging to the Lord.
    • Numbers 18:21–28 — Describes the Levitical tithe, supporting those who served at the Tent of Meeting.
    • Deuteronomy 12:5–7, 17–19 — Connects giving to worship, communal meals, and rejoicing before the Lord.
    • Deuteronomy 14:22–29 — Outlines the festival tithe and the provision for Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows.
    • Malachi 3:8–10 — God rebukes Israel for withholding the tithe, emphasizing covenant faithfulness and provision for the temple storehouse.
    • Matthew 23:23 — Jesus acknowledges tithing under the Law while emphasizing justice, mercy, and faithfulness as greater matters.
    • Luke 18:12 — Illustrates tithing as a recognized Jewish religious practice during Jesus’ time.
    • Acts 2:44–45 — Describes the early church’s radical generosity and shared resources.
    • Acts 4:32–35 — Emphasizes voluntary giving to meet communal needs.
    • 2 Corinthians 8–9 — Paul teaches proportional, willing, and cheerful generosity rather than mandated percentages.

    Educational & Scholarly Resources

    • The Bible Project. God & Money (Podcast and Video Series).
      Explores the biblical narrative of money, generosity, and stewardship, emphasizing heart transformation over transactional giving.
    • Cortines, John, and Baumer, Gregory. God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School.
      Zondervan, 2016.
      A modern exploration of biblical generosity, stewardship, and purpose, grounded in Scripture and real-life application.
    • Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.
      Zondervan.
      Provides essential guidance on interpreting Scripture within its historical and covenantal context.
    • Wright, Christopher J. H. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God.
      InterVarsity Press.
      Examines Israel’s laws—including economic and social structures—within God’s redemptive purposes.
    • Blomberg, Craig L. Neither Poverty nor Riches: A Biblical Theology of Material Possessions.
      Eerdmans Publishing.
      A comprehensive theological study on wealth, generosity, and discipleship across both Testaments.

    Video Resources Referenced

    BibleProject. God & Money (YouTube).
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-hoKxHLDbQ

    YouTube Teaching Video:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN3wYVRkmno

    YouTube Teaching Video:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKZa72lFd9I

    (These videos explore the biblical foundations of tithing, generosity, covenant context, and Christian stewardship.)

  • The Psychological Sales Tactics Used in Church Capital Campaigns (And Why They Work on Christians)

    If you’ve ever participated in a church capital campaign, you probably noticed something: the process feels strangely familiar. Not because it feels biblical—but because it feels like fundraising psychology, the same strategies nonprofits and sales teams use to increase buy-in, emotional engagement, and financial commitment. Many believers sense this but don’t have the vocabulary to explain it. This article breaks down the actual psychological techniques used in many campaign models—why they work, why they feel spiritual when they’re actually behavioral, and why Christians are susceptible to these methods.

    Commitment & Consistency Principle: “Write It Down and You’ll Do It.”

    This is the #1 psychological tactic behind pledge cards. Psychologist Robert Cialdini discovered that once a person writes down a commitment:

    • they identify with it
    • They feel obligated to honor it
    • their self-image shifts (“I’m a giver”)
    • Backing out feels like failure

    In fundraising science, this is considered gold. So when you sit in a room full of your church family and write: “I commit to give $2,000 over the next 12 months,” you’ve stepped into a psychological process, not just a spiritual one.

    Why it works on Christians:

    Christians value integrity, keeping promises, and not disappointing others. This principle hits those values hard.

    Why it feels manipulative:

    It’s a predictable behavioral technique being used in a sacred space.

    Foot-In-The-Door Technique: “Start Small, Then Increase.”

    This technique works by:

    • Getting you to agree to something small
    • Using that agreement to move you toward a larger one

    Examples in campaigns:

    • “Just come to this vision dinner.”
    • “Just pray about giving.”
    • “Just fill out this card with what you feel God is leading.”
    • “Just stretch your faith a little further…”

    The small step opens the door for the big step.

    Why it works on Christians:

    We’re trained to say yes to small acts of obedience. Our hearts are tender toward spiritual language.

    Social Proof: “Everyone Else Is Doing It.”

    Humans look to their community to decide what’s normal. Capital campaigns use:

    • testimonies from excited givers
    • families standing up to commit
    • leaders announcing how much has already been pledged
    • “We already have 80% participation!”
    • “Join the movement!”

    This creates momentum that feels spiritual but is rooted in a well-known psychological pattern.

    Why it works on Christians:

    Church is a community. We naturally follow the group.

    Authority Bias: “If My Pastor Believes In This, It Must Be Right.”

    People instinctively obey trusted authority figures. When a pastor or church leader says things like:

    • “We believe God is leading us to this.”
    • “Our elders have prayed and feel confident.”
    • “We’re stepping into a new season.”

    …it carries immense psychological weight.

    Why it works on Christians:

    Spiritual authority is powerful. When leaders speak with conviction, believers feel a sense of obligation to follow.

    Emotional Priming: “Create the Right Atmosphere First.”

    Before the giving moment, campaigns often include:

    • soft worship music
    • inspiring visuals of what the campaign will do
    • emotional testimonies
    • dimmed lights
    • a pastoral prayer
    • a stirring message about vision

    This primes the heart for generosity—not necessarily Spirit-led generosity, but emotional generosity.

    Why it works on Christians:

    We’re accustomed to responding to the Spirit during worship. The emotional atmosphere feels familiar.

    Why it’s dangerous:

    It becomes hard to distinguish between spiritual leading and emotional manipulation.

    Scarcity & Urgency: “This Is a Unique Moment.”

    Campaigns use urgency language like:

    • “This is our moment.”
    • “We must seize this opportunity.”
    • “We don’t know when we’ll get this chance again.”
    • “Let’s step into this season together.”

    Scarcity increases giving. Urgency increases giving. Marketers know it. Fundraisers know it. Church campaigns often use it.

    Identity Framing: “This Is Who We Are.”

    A powerful technique in persuasion is linking giving to identity. You’ll hear phrases like:

    • “We are a generous church.”
    • “This is who we are.”
    • “We are stepping out in faith together.”
    • “Let’s leave a legacy.”

    This subconsciously makes the person think:

    “If I don’t participate, am I… not part of us?”

    Why it works on Christians:

    Community identity is enormous in the church.

    Spiritual Language as a Layer Over Psychology

    Many campaigns spiritualize the psychological tactics:

    • “If God is speaking to you…”
    • “Let’s stretch our faith.”
    • “This is an act of obedience.”
    • “This is a step into God’s vision for our church.”

    The spiritual language is genuine from leaders’ hearts—but it overlays and amplifies the psychological tools underneath. This combination makes the techniques feel holy, even when the mechanism is behavioral.

    Why Christians Are Especially Vulnerable to These Tactics

    Christians are exceptionally responsive because we value:

    • obedience
    • sacrifice
    • generosity
    • giving
    • unity
    • identity
    • vision
    • following leaders
    • spiritual moments

    These values make us more sensitive—not weak, but open-hearted. Open-hearted people are more susceptible to psychological persuasion.

    Barna found that 69% of U.S. adults say they give because of who they are.¹ And that trust in religious organizations is moderate, with younger generations showing more skepticism.²

    The Result: Pressure That Feels Spiritual

    When all these techniques combine, the believer experiences:

    • pressure that feels like conviction
    • guilt that feels like obedience
    • urgency that feels like vision
    • group pressure that feels like unity
    • conformity that feels like faithfulness

    This can confuse the heart.

    Conclusion

    The issue isn’t that churches want to grow, build, or expand. The issue is how they do it. When capital campaigns borrow from:

    • fundraising psychology
    • sales techniques
    • influence science
    • emotional priming
    • commitment mechanisms

    …and wrap them in spiritual language, believers can’t always distinguish between the Spirit leading and social pressure. Understanding these techniques isn’t meant to attack churches—it’s meant to protect Christians, restore clarity, and continue to provide Spirit-led, not psychologically driven, guidance.

    This article seeks to explore common psychological and marketing strategies used in church capital campaigns with both honesty and respect. It is written to help Christians think clearly and critically about how influence and persuasion are employed, without assuming ill intent or undermining the sincere good that many churches pursue.

    Readers may arrive at different conclusions based on their own experiences, traditions, and convictions. The intent is not to condemn generosity or fundraising, but to encourage discernment, transparency, and alignment with biblical values in how church leaders communicate and how believers respond.

    References

    ¹Barna Group, The Deeply Personal Reasons People Give Financially, 2022. Barna Group

    ²Barna Group, The Trust Factor: Where Do Young Donors Place Trust?, 2023. Barna Group

  • Capital Campaigns: When Church Fundraising Starts Feeling Like a Sales Tactic

    If you’ve ever sat through a church capital campaign, you’ve probably felt a mix of emotions—excitement, curiosity, pressure, guilt, or even confusion. Churches cast a big vision, share inspiring stories, and encourage everyone to “pray about what to give.” And then comes the moment: a card is handed to you, a number is written down, and suddenly you find yourself in a commitment you didn’t plan on making.

    Many Christians quietly wonder:

    Why does this feel more like a sales pitch than a spiritual invitation?

    You’re not alone. Scripture actually provides us with a framework to understand why these campaigns sometimes feel off.

    Let’s break it down.

    Why Capital Campaigns Feel Like Sales Tactics

    Modern church capital campaigns did not come from the Bible.

    They came from nonprofit fundraising, science, and behavioral psychology. Many churches even hire consultants trained in donor psychology.

    Below are the main reasons capital campaigns feel like sales tactics rather than spiritual guidance.

    Emotional Buildup (Sales Momentum)

    Churches are taught to create “giving momentum” using:

    • inspirational videos
    • personal testimonies
    • emotionally charged worship
    • “Vision Sundays” full of hype

    This mirrors the structure of fundraising rallies and political events.

    According to Barna Group’s Church Generosity Reimagined report, 51% of Gen Z adults gave to a charitable organization in the past year, including churches.¹ This shows younger Christians are giving, but their patterns are irregular and less tied to traditional tithing models.

    Furthermore, Barna’s Culture of Giving study notes that most donors give because of who they are, rather than how they were asked.² This means the emotional buildup that campaigns rely on may actually work against genuine, identity-driven generosity.

    Public or Semi-Public Commitment (Commitment & Consistency Principle)

    Writing a pledge card in a room full of people is not a neutral act.

    It triggers the Commitment & Consistency Principle, a well-known psychological mechanism from Cialdini’s work.³ Once you put a number in writing, you internally pressure yourself to follow through—even if circumstances change.

    When you see other families:

    • standing to give
    • walking forward
    • filling out cards
    • nodding in agreement

    …it taps into a behavioral driver called Social Proof—the instinctive belief that:

    “If everyone else is doing it, I probably should too.”

    Given that only about half of younger adults give annually and many decisions are identity-driven rather than process-driven, the high-pressure structure of campaigns may clash with how people actually make giving decisions.¹²

    Authority Pressure (Unintended but Powerful)

    People trust pastors and spiritual leaders.
    So when a pastor stands on stage and says:

    “Let’s all take a step of faith today.”

    …that carries weight, even if the intention is pure

    This is called Authority Bias.³

    Even subtle language—“partner with us,” “let’s build together,” “step into obedience”—can create spiritual pressure..

    The Atmosphere Itself Pushes Compliance

    When an entire room is guided into a collective decision moment, it creates emotional energy that can feel like:

    • obligation
    • expectation
    • group momentum

    You’re not imagining it — the environment is engineered to influence behavior.

    And that’s why something inside you senses: “This feels off.”

    What Does the Bible Say About This?

    The New Testament teaches us clearly about giving, and none of it resembles a capital campaign.

    Giving Must Never Be Under Pressure

    Paul writes:

    “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion.”
    — 2 Corinthians 9:7⁴

    Any system that creates:

    • guilt
    • pressure
    • emotional manipulation
    • social expectation

    …violates this principle.

    Jesus Warned Against Religious Systems That Burden People

    In Matthew 23, Jesus rebukes leaders who:

    • place heavy burdens on people
    • use authority for compliance
    • value outward displays over hearts

    If making a capital campaign pledge creates guilt or pressure, it contradicts Jesus’ teaching.

    New Testament Giving Was Always for People, Not Property

    Biblical giving went to:

    • widows
    • orphans
    • the poor
    • missionaries
    • persecuted believers
    • famine relief
    • shared needs

    So Why Do Churches Use Capital Campaigns?

    Most pastors sincerely want to expand their ministry.

    But churches often:

    • feel pressure to grow
    • borrow business models
    • adopt nonprofit fundraising methods
    • hire consultants

    Unfortunately, this leads to a hybrid model where:

    sales psychology + spiritual language = pressure on believers

    It’s usually not intentional manipulation — it’s simply unexamined tradition.

    But the effects on Christians can be real:

    • confusion
    • guilt
    • discomfort
    • questioning motives
    • spiritual fatigue

    You’re feeling the collision of modern fundraising and biblical generosity.

    What Should Giving Look Like in the Church?

    Biblically, giving should be:

    Private

    “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
    — Matthew 6:3⁷

    Voluntary

    “Not reluctantly or under compulsion.”
    — 2 Corinthians 9:7⁴

    Spirit-Led

    Decided prayerfully — not under group pressure.

    Joyful

    Not driven by guilt or fear.

    People-Focused

    Meeting needs, not expanding real estate.

    Conclusion

    Capital campaigns often feel like sales tactics because in many ways, they are built on sales psychology. And when that psychology is wrapped in spiritual language, it creates an uneasy tension inside the believer.

    The Bible gives us a better model:

    • quiet giving
    • cheerful giving
    • pressure-free generosity
    • people-centered generosity
    • Spirit-led giving

    The Church is the people, And God moves through hearts — not pledge cards.

    This article explores the experience of church fundraising from the perspective of worshippers and leaders alike, particularly when it begins to feel more like a sales tactic than a spiritual invitation. It is intended to foster honest reflection and constructive conversation, not to judge individual churches or ministry efforts.

    Christians may interpret and apply these insights differently based on their context, background, and convictions. The goal of this piece is to encourage clarity, compassion, and alignment with biblical principles in how churches communicate about giving and how believers engage with those invitations.

    References

    Barna Group Research

    Barna Group. Church Generosity Reimagined: How Gen Z Approaches Giving. Barna Group, 2021.

    https://www.barna.com/trends/church-generosity-reimagined/

    Barna Group. A Culture of Giving: The Deeply Personal Reasons People Give Financially. Barna Group, 2022.

    https://www.barna.com/research/culture-of-giving/

    Barna Group. State of Generosity. Barna Group, 2022.

    https://www.barna.com/state-of-generosity/

    Capital Campaign Literature

    Greene, Denis. Stewardship-Based Church Capital Campaigns (2nd ed.). Church Development, 2020.

    https://church-development.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Stewardship-Based-Church-Capital-Campaigns-2nd-ed-by-Denis-Greene.pdf

    Scripture References

    Holy Bible, New Testament:

    • 2 Corinthians 9:7 — teaching on giving “not reluctantly or under compulsion.”
    • Acts 7:48 — “The Most High does not dwell in temples made by human hands.”
    • 1 Peter 2:5 — believers described as a spiritual house.
    • Matthew 6:3 — giving done privately and quietly.
    • Matthew 23 — Jesus’ critique of burdensome religious systems.

    Psychological & Behavioral Influence Concepts

    Cialdini, Robert B. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. Harper Business, 2006. (Used for concepts such as Commitment & Consistency, Social Proof, and Authority Bias.)

    Footnotes

    ¹ Barna Group. Church Generosity Reimagined: How Gen Z Approaches Giving. 2021.
    ² Barna Group. A Culture of Giving: The Deeply Personal Reasons People Give Financially. 2022.
    ³ Cialdini, Robert. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. Harper Business, 2006.
    ⁴ 2 Corinthians 9:7, Holy Bible (NIV).
    ⁵ Acts 7:48, Holy Bible (NIV).
    ⁶ 1 Peter 2:5, Holy Bible (NIV).
    ⁷ Matthew 6:3, Holy Bible (NIV).